WordPress Plugin · Free & PRO EU AI Act Art. 50

AI labeling included.
Faster images.
Designed for GDPR.

IMG Performer automatically converts your WordPress images to WebP (Free) or AVIF (PRO) – directly on your server, without limits. No API key. No account. Conversion and labeling run on your server.
Free already detects AI-generated images on upload and adds the AI labeling required by EU AI Act Art. 50. You classify borderline cases yourself in the media library. PRO also generates AI alt texts automatically on every upload – BFSG/accessibility-compliant, no manual click or bulk action needed.

AVIF directly on your server. Conversion and labeling: no cloud upload, no DPA. Combines mandatory AI image labeling (EU AI Act Art. 50) and accessibility-compliant alt texts — automatically on every upload, not just on demand.

AI alt texts (PRO) require a DPA with your chosen AI provider.

Requires WordPress 6.0+ · PHP 7.4+ · GD library · AVIF (PRO) from PHP 8.1

IMG Performer – automatic image optimization, AI labeling and alt text generation in three steps
Customizable AI labeling badges (PRO): AI-generated, AI-modified and more variants
IMG Performer dashboard: data saved, CO₂ avoided and AI labeling progress
Automatic AI detection in the attachment modal based on C2PA metadata, with manual correction

The legal situation – and how IMG Performer takes it off your hands

Nico Serapins from TutorialCenter first explains the legal situation around the EU AI Act and BFSG, then shows how automatic AI labeling, AI alt text and WebP conversion run in the WordPress backend — from installation to the first optimized image. 9:33 minutes, independently produced. German only for now.

Clicking play connects to YouTube (Google Ireland Ltd.) and loads the video from youtube-nocookie.com. No connection is made until you click.

Optimised file sizes and accessible images at the push of a button.

IMG Performer is intentionally lean – focused on image optimisation, AI labeling (EU AI Act) and AI alt texts, without overhead from extra plugins.

🖼️

Always the smallest format

Free converts to WebP. PRO additionally creates AVIF. On delivery, the automatically smaller format wins – not blindly AVIF, but what actually works better for this image. Fallback to original if needed.

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Is IMG Performer GDPR-compliant for AI alt texts too?

All image conversions run locally on your server. For AI alt texts (PRO), the image is sent to the AI provider you set up with your own API key; for that you sign a data processing agreement (DPA). We recommend Mistral AI: EU company, EU servers, no data transfer to the US. OpenAI and Claude are also supported. Retroactively generated alt texts automatically appear on every page, even in templates with an empty alt="" hard-coded.

📐

All image sizes & viewports

All thumbnail sizes, srcset rewriting, and Retina support – automatically on every upload, for every resolution.

∞

Unlimited – no monthly limit

No quotas, no credits, no subscription for the basics. Convert as many images as you want – free, without restriction.

⚡

No configuration needed

Activate the plugin – done. No API key, no account, no setup. Works immediately with any theme.

🧩

Theme-compatible

Works with Gutenberg, classic editor, and most themes. Page builders like Elementor or Divi may use their own image pipelines – a quick test is recommended there.

🛡️

Admin-safe

WebP/AVIF only in the frontend. WordPress admin, REST API, and media library always show the original files.

🏷️

EU AI Act Art. 50: AI image labeling

Detects AI-generated images on upload and writes hosting-independent labeling into every generated image size – no Imagick required. Visible frontend badge, manual correction in the Media Library. Free covers new uploads; PRO additionally scans and labels images already in your library.

Mandatory from August 2, 2026

AI-generated images need machine-readable labeling. Now.

Article 50 of the EU AI Act requires AI-generated or AI-modified images to carry machine-readable labeling — deepfakes additionally need a label visible to visitors. The grace period until December 2, 2026 only applies to providers of AI systems already on the market before August 2, 2026; website operators publishing AI images get no grace period.

Aug 2, 2026

EU AI Act Art. 50 in effect

From this date, AI-generated images published on your website must carry machine-readable labeling — regardless of company size.

2-in-1

Image optimization and AI labeling combined

Most image optimization plugins only handle file size. IMG Performer combines WebP/AVIF conversion with AI image detection and labeling in one plugin — no need to run two. After reviewing around 30 comparable WordPress plugins (as of Aug 20, 2026), none bundles image optimization, EU AI Act labeling, and automatic AI alt text generation in a single installation.

↻

Labeling survives the conversion

Because the same plugin generates the WebP/AVIF file and writes the label, the label is applied to those generated files too — not just the original. Run a separate optimizer alongside a separate labeling plugin, and the label can quietly disappear the moment the image gets re-encoded.

✓

IMG Performer: detected & labeled automatically

Already included in the free version — no extra cost. Detects AI-generated images on upload, writes hosting-independent labeling into every image size, shows a visible badge, and keeps a searchable history.

See how it works →
EAA in effect since 28 June 2025

Accessible images are not optional — they are required.

The European Accessibility Act has applied since June 28, 2025 to online shops and other e-commerce services offered to consumers. Its technical requirements follow WCAG 2.1 AA. Microenterprises providing services are exempt; service contracts concluded before June 28, 2025 have a transition period until June 2030 at the latest. Every image needs a meaningful alt text.

60–80%

of all WordPress images have no alt text

According to the WebAIM Million Report. With 500 images: 4+ hours of manual work — with no guarantee of EAA quality.

2-in-1

Image optimization and accessibility combined

Most image optimisation plugins only handle file size. IMG Performer PRO combines WebP/AVIF conversion with AI-generated alt texts in one plugin — no need to run two.

✓

IMG Performer PRO: automatically accessible

AI alt texts on every upload, bulk mode for the entire media library. Recommended: Mistral AI – EU company, EU servers, no data transfer to the US. Claude and OpenAI also available.

Compliance details & fact sheet →

IMG Performer vs. the competition

Cloud plugins transfer your images to external servers and require a Data Processing Agreement. Local alternatives sometimes offer a local mode – but AVIF often only via a paid CDN. Pure image optimization plugins like the ones in the table below typically don’t cover AI image labeling under EU AI Act Art. 50 – dedicated labeling plugins have since emerged for that.

Feature IMG Performer Cloud plugins Local + CDN
WebP conversion ✅ ✅ ✅
AVIF locally – no CDN needed PRO PRO ❌
Automatically smallest format (AVIF vs. WebP) ✅ ❌ ❌
Unlimited conversions – no monthly limit ✅ ❌ ✅
Image conversion stays on your server ✅ ❌ ⚠️
No account, no API key for Free ✅ ❌ ⚠️
No DPA for conversion and labeling (AI alt text in PRO: DPA with the AI provider) ✅ ❌ ⚠️
AI alt texts – accessibility-compliant PRO ❌ ❌
AI image labeling – EU AI Act Art. 50 ✅ ❌ ❌
Retroactive bulk scan of existing images PRO ❌ ❌
Bulk conversion PRO PRO ✅
Optimisation, AI labeling & AI alt texts in one plugin ✅ ❌ ❌

⚠️ Local alternatives sometimes require exec() on the server. Cloud services limit the free version to a few MB/month. AVIF with local plugins is often only available via a paid CDN.

🌍 Community Impact

Better together.

Every image Img Performer converts saves data – and therefore energy and CO₂. Small effort, real difference.

Users can voluntarily and anonymously contribute to the global stats. Only bytes are transmitted – no IP, no domain, no personal data.

–
saved together
–
CO₂ avoided
–
websites contributing

“With IMG Performer, we were able to simplify image optimization for ZEIT Advise significantly. Automatic processing directly in WordPress saves our team noticeable time, and faster load times improve the user experience at the same time.”

Katja Grafmüller, Head of Brand & Concept Solutions, B2B Marketing & Communications, ZEIT Advise (Zeitverlag Gerd Bucerius GmbH & Co. KG) – original German, translated for this page

Reviews on OMR Reviews

See all reviews on OMR Reviews

Simple, fair pricing

Start for free – upgrade anytime.

Free

0 €/forever
  • ✓ WebP for all image sizes (thumbnails, medium, large)
  • ✓ srcset rewriting for all viewports
  • ✓ Unlimited conversions on upload
  • ✓ Frontend delivery without third-party service
  • ✓ Quality setting (1–100)
  • ✓ Logging
  • ✓ EU AI Act Art. 50: AI image labeling on upload
Download for free
PRO

PRO

69 €/year

equals €5.75 / month

  • ✓ Everything in Free
  • ✓ AVIF on every upload – smallest file size, automatically preferred
  • ✓ Bulk conversion of the entire media library (incl. all thumbnail sizes)
  • ✓ AI alt texts: automatically accessibility-compliant alt texts, captions & descriptions
  • ✓ AI label badge: position, color, contrast & custom label image
  • ✓ Retroactive bulk scan: detect and label AI images already in your media library
  • ✓ Background queue (large sites, no timeout)
  • ✓ WP-CLI support
Upgrade now →

Release History

What we improved:

v0.3.12 21 October 2026

Geändert

  • Plugin-Beschreibung im Header und readme.txt überarbeitet: Datenschutz-Aussagen unterscheiden jetzt zwischen lokaler Verarbeitung (WebP, KI-Kennzeichnung) und den optionalen KI-Alt-Texten in PRO (Bild geht an den KI-Anbieter des eigenen API-Keys, AVV nötig); Absolutaussagen entfernt (IMP-265, IMP-269)
  • Sieben neue FAQ-Einträge zum EU AI Act Art. 50 in der readme.txt (IMP-239)
PRO v0.3.15 13 October 2026

Verbessert

  • Deutsche Übersetzung vervollständigt: 43 fehlende Texte ergänzt (Custom Label, Label-Export, Custom-Provider und WordPress-Konnektoren, AVIF-Hinweis, Fehlermeldungen)
  • Neue Übersetzung „Deutsch (Sie)“ – bisher erschien PRO bei dieser Spracheinstellung komplett auf Englisch

Roadmap

What we're working on next.

Done

  • Website context for AI alt texts (PRO) – a wizard generates a context paragraph so alt texts fit your site better.
  • Your own AI provider for alt texts (PRO) – any OpenAI-compatible service, such as self-hosted models or EU AI gateways.
  • WP-CLI for PRO (status, conversion, AI alt texts, AI labeling, license) – for agencies, hosters and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Burn the AI label permanently into the image (PRO) – as a download and automatically when sharing on social media.
  • Automatically serve og:image with the AI label burned in – including Yoast/RankMath integration.

In progress

  • Agency license for use across multiple client websites.

Frequently asked questions

What is IMG Performer?

Enfants IMG Performer is a WordPress plugin for image optimization. It automatically converts images to smaller formats on upload, namely WebP and, with PRO, AVIF. It also writes accessible alt text with AI and detects and labels AI-generated images. Processing runs locally on your server, with no cloud service and no user account.

How much does IMG Performer cost, and what comes on top for AI alt texts?

The free version costs nothing and includes unlimited WebP conversion and AI labeling for new uploads. Pro costs €69 per year or €9 per month and adds automatic AI alt texts, AVIF, bulk processing, a retroactive scan of your existing media library, a customizable label and WP-CLI. For alt texts you use your own API key with an AI provider, for example Mistral. IMG Performer has no credit system of its own: you choose the provider and model and pay the provider directly for what it charges. With an external provider, a data processing agreement is required.

What is the difference between Free and PRO?

Free converts to WebP without limit, detects AI images on upload and shows a labelling badge. PRO adds AVIF with automatic format selection, AI alt text on every upload, bulk processing of the entire media library, retroactive labelling of existing images, a customizable label and control via WP-CLI.

Is IMG Performer GDPR-compliant?

Image conversion and AI detection run locally on your server, so no images are transferred to third parties. For AI alt texts (PRO), the image goes to the AI provider of your API key, which requires a data processing agreement (DPA). Mistral, an EU company with EU servers, is recommended.

Are my images transferred to external servers?

Not for conversion and AI labelling, that happens locally. Only if you enable AI alt text in PRO is the relevant image sent to the AI provider you have chosen, for example Mistral in the EU.

Do I need my own API key for the AI alt text?

Yes. In PRO you store your own access to Mistral, OpenAI or Anthropic. That way you decide on the model and the cost yourself, and there is no credit quota that expires.

Do I have to label AI-generated images on my WordPress site?

For realistic depictions of persons or events, known as deepfakes, the EU AI Regulation in Article 50 requires a visible label. For other AI images, the machine-readable marking that modern AI tools already include is sufficient. It just must not be lost on your site. IMG Performer detects AI images on upload, keeps the marking intact across all image sizes and shows a visible badge on the front end on request.

When does the AI labelling obligation apply?

The transparency obligations in Article 50 of the EU AI Regulation have applied since August 2026.

How does IMG Performer detect whether an image is AI-generated?

On upload, the plugin reads the image’s embedded provenance data, for example C2PA or Content Credentials. If none is present, for instance with Midjourney, you choose the appropriate label yourself with a single click.

What is the German Accessibility Strengthening Act and does it affect my images?

The German Accessibility Strengthening Act, known as the BFSG, has required many websites to provide accessible content since June 2025. For images that means they need a meaningful alt text that a screen reader can read aloud. IMG Performer PRO writes these alt texts automatically on every upload.

Do I need a CDN?

No. IMG Performer converts images on your own server and serves them from there, without a CDN, without an account and without a cloud upload. Smaller WebP and AVIF files shorten loading times even without a CDN. Whether you additionally put a CDN in front of your website is up to you.

How many images can I convert in the free version?

As many as you like. The Free version has no monthly limit, no quota and no throttling.

Can IMG Performer process existing images in my media library retroactively?

Yes, in PRO. Bulk mode converts the entire existing media library, and the retroactive scan checks existing images for AI origin and labels them.

Does IMG Performer work with Elementor, Divi or other page builders?

Standard themes and the block editor are supported directly. For page builders with their own image pipeline there is a JavaScript fallback. A quick test of the image output is advisable there.

Does IMG Performer change my original images?

No. The converted variants are added alongside them. In the WordPress admin, the REST API and the media library you still see the original files.

What server requirements are there?

WordPress 6.0 or newer, PHP 7.4 or newer and the GD library. IMG Performer also runs on inexpensive shared hosting, without Imagick and without server commands. For AVIF (PRO) the server additionally needs PHP 8.1 or newer with AVIF support in GD, or Imagick with AVIF. Without it, IMG Performer keeps delivering WebP.

What is WebP?

WebP is a modern image format that stores photos and graphics considerably smaller than JPEG or PNG at the same visible quality. IMG Performer creates WebP automatically, including in the free version.

What is AVIF?

AVIF is an even more efficient image format than WebP and saves additional file size on many images. IMG Performer creates AVIF in the PRO version and automatically serves the smallest suitable format.